Councillor Susan Murray tells why she supports the EDLC proposal to close Lenzie, Milton of Campsie and Westerton libraries

Published:11:07Tuesday 06 November 2018

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The Herald asked East Dunbartonshire councillor Susan Murray (LibDem Kirkintilloch East and North and Twechar) to explain to the public why she supports the closure of three local libraries.

ED Leisure and Culture (EDLC), the arms-length organisation funded and supported by East Dunbartonshire Council, voted by 5-2 last week to shut libraries at Lenzie, Milton of Campsie and Westerton as part of cost-cutting measures, which will also put jobs at risk.

This proposal will now go forward to a meeting of the council, probably later this month.

There are five councillors within the 11-strong board of EDLC. Councillor Susan Murray (LibDem) supported the closures; Councillors Gillian Renwick (SNP) and Jim Gibbons (SNP) opposed them, Councillor Sheila Mechan (Conservative) abstained and Councillor Stewart MacDonald (Labour) was not at the meeting.

Here is Councillor Murray’s full statement to the Herald.

“I stood for election to make sure the Council listened to the community; I believe Councillors should put aside party

politics and do the very best with the money available for the people of

East Dunbartonshire.

“Last year the Council had to make the biggest savings of any single year because of the SNP Scottish Government cuts. This downward trend goes on in the context of increasing demand for social care and social housing.

“It is clear why the minority SNP Council Administration resigned. It is easier to be in ‘opposition’ than to work with others to find solutions.

“Their priority is their national agenda.

“The future of East Dunbartonshire Libraries is a good news story.

“I strongly support the Sport and Cultural activities that EDLC delivers for our communities. They are vital for our health and wellbeing and hugely beneficial for the community, especially those most in need.